How to Troubleshoot and Repair Patio Door Locks
Maintaining your patio doors in good order will help safeguard your home from unwanted intruders. However, the elements may cause the doors and their locks to become damaged or misaligned.
You can fix your patio door lock on your own in the event that it isn't working correctly. These steps can fix issues with the handle, keyway, and latch.
Check the Lock
Patio doors are frequently targeted by burglars due to their huge amount of glass and convenient position within a house. Having well-functioning locks is therefore important to ensure your home is safe. Fortunately, there are easy methods to troubleshoot or repair patio door locks that have stopped functioning properly.
The first step is to inspect the lock to make sure nothing is hindering it from locking or latching. If you spot any issues, such as loose screws, rust, or an issue with alignment, they should be addressed promptly. In some cases the slightest adjustment to the position of the patio door could be sufficient to fix the problem.
Dust or debris could cause the lock mechanism to fail to function properly. To avoid this happening, ensure that you clean your patio door regularly and wipe down the lock's hardware. You can apply a mild detergent solution when needed, but ensure that you dry the lock thoroughly afterward.
In addition, it's recommended to oil the lock regularly. The moving parts in your uPVC patio lock are similar to those found in a finely tuned machine. They are susceptible to jamming and become stuck as with any other mechanical device. A graphite pencil, or a tiny amount of lubricant could be used to get rid of any dirt or debris from the lock's cylinder. This will keep it functioning smoothly.
Knowing the exact dimensions of your patio door lock is crucial. This will help you choose the perfect lock to match your current mechanism. If you're unsure of how to proceed you can contact a professional tradesperson or locksmith for assistance.
Clean the Lock
The intricate parts of the door lock can become jammed because of dirt, dust, and hot and cold weather. These issues can compromise your home's security. But it's simple to fix these problems If you know how.
Clean your lock prior to attempting any repairs. Using a damp cloth, wipe away any dirt or stains that could be hindering your lock from functioning properly. Then, use a little hot soapy water to wash the mechanism of the lock and get rid of any grime or grit that has built up over time. After you've cleaned your locks, let them dry completely before using them again.
Most patio doors use a mortise lock that is secure, but is susceptible to problems over time. If your uPVC lock is stuck, the first step is to clean and lubricate it. For an uPVC lock it is best to begin by cleaning the latch plate with a little of soapy water. Then, remove the screws that hold the body of the latch in place. After you have the latch plate as well as handle removed, you can take the latch out of its slot in the door frame.
Once the latch is removed it is possible to lubricate the lock using a light engineering oil such as WD40. If you don't have WD40 or similar product, you can use a graphite pencil to help dislodge any grit or dirt within the mechanism. If your uPVC locks are still not working, you may need to reposition lock cylinder. This requires additional tools and is best done by a professional. But you can practice shifting the cylinder, without taking it from the door by closing and opening the door with the cylinder in the lock position, and then making pencil marks on the inside of the frame where the screws keep the cylinder in place.
Lubricate the Lock
If your lock is clean of debris and dirt, it's a good time to lubricate the keyhole and locks themselves. Using the right type of lubricant helps keep your lock in top shape, extending its lifespan.
Dry graphite powder is excellent for lubricating small metal parts like locks since it's not oily or sticky, and it lasts longer than liquid fluid lubricants. It is easy to use and can be used on sliding doors tracks for garage doors and door hinges. Master locksmith Shawn Fago suggests using a pencil type graphite lubricant designed specifically for lock-cylinders.
Liquid lubricants are more efficient than graphite powder particularly in humid climates. Silicone lubricants resist water and do not attract dust and dirt as much as other liquid fluids. They are suitable for both low and high temperatures. However, some silicone lubricants may create accumulation over time and could be displaced by other lubricants that you've used.
Teflon-based lubricants can be a great alternative to silicone lubricants since they're long-lasting and don't attract dust and dirt. They're also great for cold climates since they'll stop the accumulation of ice within the lock.
If talks about it feels stiff and difficult to turn, it is probably worn out. It's time to get it replaced. A professional locksmith will disassemble the lock mechanism and replace it with a the new cylinder that matches your existing keys. They can also repair and modify existing locking mechanisms. A professional can replace the lock cylinder if your door isn't equipped with one. This will increase security and safety. They can also install new lock faceplates on your patio door that are in keeping with the rest of the door.
Reposition the Lock Cylinder
If cleaning and lubricating it doesn't work, the issue could be due to the latch on the door isn't aligned correctly with the frame or jamb. To determine this, open the sliding patio door and look both ways from the latch opening to determine whether the door is in line with the frame or jamb. If not, loosen screws fixing the latch body and adjust it either upwards or downwards until the latch is firmly grasping the latch hasp when the door is closed.
Sometimes, the latch isn't closing properly because of a worn-out cylinder. A worn-out cylinder makes it difficult to turn the key, which is why you'll require an alternate. You should choose a cylinder with the same keyway and dimensions as the previous one. This allows you to replace it easily by unscrewing the two halves and putting in the new cylinder.
You can find replacement cylinders at a variety of home improvement stores. You'll have to know the manufacturer and model of the existing cylinder to be able to purchase one that is compatible with it. If you don't have the manufacturer or model number you can take a photograph of the cylinder and its mounting screws, and then go to an hardware store for help.
When you have a new cylinder, loosen the screw with a flat head that holds it in place, and remove the escutcheon plate. Remove the lock cylinder, escutcheon, and door frame using a screwdriver. Put the screw somewhere safe so you aren't able to lose it. Then, loosen the set screw on the cylinder's keep (the metal part that fits into the rectangular cutout of the door) and let it loose enough to rotate the cylinder.
Replace the Lock
A patio door lock that's not functioning properly can be an immediate security risk. It's not unusual for dirt and other particles to become lodged in the lock mechanism If this isn't addressed quickly enough the lock could eventually break down and no longer provide security. Replacing the patio door lock is a relatively simple DIY project that requires some tools and a little time.
Begin by examining the lock to see what's causing the issue. If cleaning and lubricating the lock latch fails it could be bent too much to perform as it should. If this is the case, you should replace the lock latch with a mortise locking system to ensure it's as strong and secure as possible.
If you aren't comfortable tackling this DIY project yourself contact a locksmith or door hardware expert to assist you in the installation of an entirely new lock. They'll have the expertise and tools to do it correctly and make sure that the new lock works with your patio door.
Routine maintenance is the key to ensure that your patio door lock working correctly. Make sure the knobs and handles aren't loose and tighten them if needed. Lubricate the lock at least once a year to avoid it from sticking or becoming stiff. It is recommended that locks that are exposed to heavy usage or extreme weather conditions should be lubricated more frequently. It is important to use a lubricant that is specifically designed for locks (WD-40's Specialist Dry PTFE Anti Friction or GT85). Apply the lubricant to keyhole of the lock mechanism to get best results.